"That's a weird smell for this kitchen," Charlie said as a greeting. He was in his Sheriff's uniform minus his jacket and hat.
Stiles raised an eyebrow. "Pancakes?"
"Unburned pancakes." Charlie correct before sitting down. "You didn't have to but I can't lie and say I'm not grateful."
Stiles sat down across from Charlie and shrugged. "It's the least I can go. You're letting me stay here. I'm gonna pull my weight, promise."
"I know, Stiles. But no pressure. I want you to feel comfortable here. Wish your dad would have stayed longer."
"Me too, but not to sound like an old western...this place ain't big enough for two sheriffs."
Charlie chuckled, "Plus all sorts of hell happen when we're gone too long. Swear to god it's all boring paperwork until you take the weekend off."
Stiles smiled at Charlie before they dug in. He had some issues sleeping. Much of the same but also because it was a new place. His dad had warned Charlie about his night terrors and even though Charlie promised to be there for him, Stiles felt embarrassed and preferred to stay up than to risk having one. He was very grateful that Charlie was easy going and very much like his dad. He didn't have to act too different other than being a guest in someone he didn't know all that well.
"So...how do I go about enrolling and stuff?" Stiles asked.
"I talked with your dad for a bit and he wants you to settle in. Says that there were some drastic encounters with some murderers you dealt with?"
Monsters. Werewolves. Hunters. Demons. Himself.
"Y-yeah..." He took a deep breath and retold the story he and his dad came up with. "It started with a Montague and Capulet sort of feud that just kept escalating until...it got really out of hand."
Stiles could see it in his eyes that Charlie wanted to ask more but didn't. Maybe because of the haunted and tired look in his eyes. So Charlie cleared his throat and said, "You're gonna take the week to relax and get to know the town a bit. Know where all the shops are, the movie theater, the station. Things like that. Then we'll get to the high school and sign you up. I was actually thinking of bringing you fishing...if you're into it."
"Fishing?" Stiles asked.
"Yeah, me and my best friend Billy and I like to go from time to time. It's very zen...when we're not competing for who can catch the biggest fish."
"I've never tried. Dad and I would go camping and I learned the basics of it, but we never got to the hunting and fishing part. I personally preferred fish sticks and ketchup to freshly caught fish. Back then it was kinda gross ya know."
"But not now?" Charlie asked with a smirk.
"I've watched quite the Foodnetwork since then, so I think I can appreciate it a bit more...you don't mind me tagging along?"
"Ya kidding? You're welcomed to come. I've always wanted the father/son fishing thing. My own daughter Bella never really cared for the outdoors stuff."
"Right. I think I saw a picture of her in the hall." Stiles commented.
"Yeah...we uh..." He scrapped some pieces of drowned pancakes into his fork. "Her mother and I split up. She moved and Bella went to live with her. She comes from time to time...she's coming over break. Maybe you'll meet her. But anyway...I should get to work. Breakfast was delicious Stiles. You don't have to cook lunch. I'll swing by and take you to one of the local joints, okay?"
"You sure?" Stiles asked before adding. "I don't mind taking on the cooking duties."
"I'm sure. Trust me, once people start noticing you...you'll be the talk of the town. Best to go out in public and give them the answers we want before rumor mills start going wild. One of the many curses of living in a small town."
Stiles nodded, "Okay cool. Yeah, sure."
"Don't worry, kid. I'll keep you safe. I promised your dad after all. Oh and one more thing." Charlie said as he put on his jacket and dug into his pockets. He pulled out a set of keys. "These are to the pick-up out front. It's...not the best. Or newest...but it'll get you there. I'll have someone take a better look at it, but it works."
"I...dad says he'll have my Jeep brought up once he can."
Charlie placed the keys into Stiles's hands, "Until then...this will get you to where you need to be."
Stiles was going to protest but surrendered at the look Charlie gave him. So at least now he had some plans rather than laze around all day.
"Hey, kid...how are you settling in?"
"Well. Pretty well. Charlie's a great host...pretty simple. Very middle class. It's almost like home."
"Haha. What are you doing?"
"Charlie let me borrow his pick-up. I'm cruising around town, getting used to the land and such. Right now I'm fueling up and thought I'd check in...how are you?"
"Oh, you know...paperwork, a few speeding tickets, some drunken disorderly complaints."
"Nothing major?"
"No...pretty quiet." The Sheriff answered.
"Has...has anyone...has anyone asked for me?"
The Sheriff sighed over the phone. "I'm sure they will, Stiles. For now, relax."
"Yeah. Yeah..."
"Stiles..." But the Sheriff couldn't say anything to comfort his son as to why his friends seemingly abandoned him.
"I'm fine dad...Charlie...he's taking me fishing. I'll probably suck at it now but by the time we get to do it, I should be okay."
"Good. And Stiles?"
"Yeah, dad?"
"Don't shut yourself in, okay? I know it's tempting. I know you feel guilty...but don't shut yourself off. That's how you lose...go out. Make friends. Live your life."
Stiles took a shaky breath as a single tear made its way down his face. "I will. I...I will dad. I love you."
"I love you too, kiddo."
Stiles hung up and finished fueling up, but took a moment just to get his bearings together. In his musings, he didn't see or hear another car approach. It was parked right across from Stiles so he got to see as a very handsome guy step out of the very expensive sports car. The stranger frowned at Stiles for a moment before he offered a charming smile.
But rather than swoon, Stiles felt a knot forming in his stomach. He was immediately reminded of Derek and the Hales, and werewolves and monsters...and how it all led to him being here.
"Are you alright?"
Had Stiles really been that out of it? He swore the stranger was by his car door, a few feet away from Stiles.
"I...I..yeah...yeah...I gotta go." Stiles said quickly as he tried to get back into his truck. He started the truck and drove off at a speed that his dad or Charlie wouldn't really approve of.
"Hey, Scott...it's me again. Listen...I could...I could use someone to talk to yeah? Please...call me."
"Welcome to Newton's Olympic Outfitters...shouldn't you be in school?"
"Uh...I just transferred. Things are still getting sorted." Stiles replied to the woman who greeted him.
"Oh, well...welcome to Forks." The woman smiled before asking, "What can I help you with...?"
"Stiles. I go by Stiles. Sheriff Swan is taking me in."
"Oh! Well, good ol' Charlie. So, how can I help?"
"I used to play lacrosse in my old school. I wasn't the best but it kept me busy. I don't really wanna wait until my dad can ship it over so I thought I'd look in when I saw the shop."
"Lacross huh? Football's the bigger attraction here but the lacrosse team does well. I'm sure they'd enjoy some new blood." She commented.
Stiles shrugged, "I don't know if I'll try out. I never had much luck leaving the bench at my old team. I just...want something to help keep me active."
"Right. Well, let me show you what we have."
"You okay? You seem distracted." Charlie commented.
Stiles looked up from the things he was packing. "I'm fine." It was automatic at this point. It was a well-practiced lie, and he wanted to believe that if he told it enough, he'll start to believe it too. It was the day of their fishing outing and he was helping Charlie pack.
"Stiles. I know that...you might feel a division. We don't know each other much but...I respect your father a lot. And I hope I can do him justice in taking care of you. And not just in housing. I hope you feel free in speaking to me if you need to."
Stiles smiled at him. "Thank you. It's nothing really. I just...my friends from...from Beacon Hills. I haven't heard from any of them. And I just..."
Charlie placed his hand on Stiles's shoulder, "You're a kind and witty kid. Smart and funny. You're also quite dashing. Trust me...added to the whole 'new kid' vibe you're gonna be a hit in this town. You're gonna make so many friends...you're gonna be okay."
Stiles didn't want new friends. He wanted his old ones. But they didn't seem to want him.
There was a honk from outside and both of them turned their heads to the door. "Billy and Jake are here then."
"Jake?" Stiles asked.
"Jacob Black, Billy's boy. He's coming with us."
Stiles grabbed one of the bags and headed outside. He saw an older man in the front, wheelchair in the back. And a younger man with long hair in the front seat.
"Who's this?" Billy asked.
"This is Stiles. I told you about him." Charlie asked.
"Oh right. The other sheriff's boy. Hello son." Billy greeted.
Stiles approached the side of the truck and shook the man's hand. "Hello, sir."
"Good manners, but call me Billy. This is my boy, Jacob." Billy introduced them.
Jacob had gotten out of the truck to help Charlie place whatever they were taking in the bed of the pick-up. He smiled at Stiles as he extended his hand.
"Hey. Nice to meet you."
"Same. Do you like fishing?" Stiles asked.
"I...know how to fish. Can't say it's my favorite past time." Jacob replied.
"He's just mad because it's been over a year since he's caught something worth bragging about," Billy told them.
Charlie laughed but Jacob blushed but tried to look unbothered.
Stiles felt like he had to help, "Well with me there, you'll have a better rep. I've never been fishing...unless you count trying to win a goldfish at the carnival...I never did, so I guess it shouldn't count."
Jacob and Billy laughed, but it wasn't mean or patronizing.
"Come on boys, let's get going," Charlie said. He got into the driver's seat while Stiles climbed into the back with Jacob.
"Do you go to school in town?" Stiles asked.
"No, I go to school at on the Rez with the others of my tribe. Are you staying here long enough to go to school?" Jacob asked.
"I am. Yeah."
"Why'd you move?"
"Uh...there was some..." Killing. Monsters. Betrayal. Possession.
"Stiles?"
Stiles snapped back to reality and cleared his throat. "Sorry. Uh...there was trouble. People died. A friend. I came pretty close to dying myself. My dad just...he worries. So he wanted me to..."
"Oh god. Stiles, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked." Jacob said, shame clear on his face.
Stiles shook his head, "It's okay."
"It's not."
"I'm the new kids and people are gonna keep asking me this the first week at least. I should get used to it."
"You don't owe anyone anything. And if anyone gives you any trouble, you tell me and I'll deal with them for you."
"Yeah? Just like that?"
"Charlie and my dad are best friends who look out for each other. Charlie is friends with a lot if not most of my tribe. You can continue the tradition and you can let me help you if anyone decides to give you a hard time."
Maybe it was his loneliness or feeling of betrayal he was feeling from those back home, but he practically jumped at the offer.
He didn't catch any fish, and neither did Jacob. But they spent most of their time talking about his Rabbit he was fixing up and some of the upcoming super-hero movies they were excited to see.
"I picked up the mail, it's on the table," Stiles told Charlie when he arrived from work.
"Thanks, kid. Thoughts on dinner?" Charlie asked as he flipped through the small pile. But he pauses when he saw the letter from Renee
"I went shopping earlier and put a lasagna together with a Caesar salad. Jacob called earlier and I've invited him and Billy over." When he didn't get a response, he looked up at the older man. "Or I can call him back and cancel and we can order pizza or something."
"What? No, no...lasagna's perfect. I just...well, this is gonna be interesting."
"What? What is it?"
"My daughter Bella's coming over for a bit longer...and a bit earlier," Charlie replied.
"How much earlier?" Stiles asked.
"Next week."
Chapter End Notes
I've debated about when this takes place in the Twilight Realm. And I've decided that it's before Bella arrives. So I'm just putting it out there that it's been a minute since I've seen the movies and longer still since I've read the books xD
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